The Environmental Changes of Regentschap Pemalang in The Colonial Era

¹ Universitas Islam Negeri Profesor Kiai Haji Saifuddin Zuhri Purwokerto, Faculty of Ushuluddin, Adab, and Humaniora, Purwokerto, Indonesia
² Universitas Pandanaran Semarang, Faculty of Engineering, Semarang, Indonesia
³ Madrasah Aliyah Negeri 1 Jepara, History Teacher, Jepara, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: inurutomo@uinsaizu.ac.id

Abstract

The environment is an important issue that continues to be discussed from the past, now, and even in the future. One important aspect of environmental problems is environmental change. In a historical context, the environmental conditions are the impact of human behavior in the past. Environmental changes are not only targeting urban areas but also rural areas, including the Regentschap Pemalang area during the colonial era. This research examined environmental changes in the Regentschap Pemalang during the colonial era from 1870 to 1942. It focused on three main aspects, there were background, process, and the impact of environmental change. The method used in this research was the historical method. The results of this research indicated that the background to environmental changes in Regentschap Pemalang was the activity of colonialism and capitalism. The colonial government as the ruler at that time issued policies that supported the activities of colonialism and capitalism. The presence of private capital and the desire to gain large profits led to massive exploitation of natural resources which then changed the environmental structure in Regenstcap Pemalang. These changes had an impact on environmental damage. It caused floods and droughts. Environmental changes during the colonial period in Regentschap Pemalang were a necessity because they were in the grip of exploitative colonial power.